Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi (Hinds County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Stand Harris

Defendant's Attorney: John William Weber for Pedro Lopez-Alvarez

Description: Gulfport, MS - Three Illegal Aliens Sentenced for Unlawfully Re-Entering the United States

Three illegal aliens, who were arrested while being transported in the same human smuggling operation, were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. for unlawful return after removal from the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Special Agent in Charge Jere T. Miles with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans, and Chief Joseph A. Banco Jr., Acting Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol’s New Orleans Sector.

On January 30, 2018, two Hancock County Sheriff’s Deputies, working together, but in separate patrol vehicles, conducted traffic stops of two Honda Pilot Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) that were traveling together. The U.S. Border Patrol was contacted and arrived on the scene shortly thereafter. Both drivers of the SUVs were found to be in the United States illegally and each vehicle contained eight passengers who also were illegal aliens. All eighteen occupants of both vehicles were arrested and transported to the Border Patrol Station in Gulfport, MS. Three of the passengers were the defendants sentenced today.

Each of the defendants was sentenced to one year of supervised release during which time each could face additional penalties if he were to unlawfully return to the United States, in addition to any other penalty. Each also will face Department of Homeland Security removal proceedings. As a result of this felony conviction, if any of the three defendants were to unlawfully return again to the United States, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Hurst praised the cooperation exhibited by Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Border Patrol, and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.